I’ve done EMS.
- An ambulance can cost $150,000 between the rig & all of the equipment in it.
- An EMT needs 120 hours of training (here), a paramedic needs about 6 months.
- For places with paid staff, the rule of thumb is 4 bodies for every position in a 24x7 world - day shift on, night shift on + day shift off & night shift off. Don’t forget to factor in PTO & con-ed (continuing education, not the electric company) so big city depts it’s probably 4.x bodies per shift, while it’s overtime pay at your smaller departments. Don’t forget benefits are 25-33%, or more, of salary so that one $36,000 employee who shows up at your door is really costing in the neighborhood of $200,000; & you have two people on an ambulance
- Don’t forget administration making sure everyone is up to date on their various & overall trainings, supplies are ordered, & that meds are being rotated & removed if expired, even by one day.
- Again, depending upon where you are you may be able to get something for treat-no-transport but income comes from one of three sources - govt, donations, & fee-for-service
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I can get into more of the operational side, if asked.